CONGRESSMAN COMES CALLING

Front row, (lL to r.), Dr. Johnwick, Mr. Fogarty, Dr. Wolcott, and Resident Dentist DOr.
Breaux. Back row, (I. to r.), Dr. Nelson, Hospital Administrator

pee a

Frank Ellis, Chief

Nurse Sister Alphonsa, Dr. William Meyer of New Orleans, and T.H. Rickman, Jr.

The visit of Congressman John Ed-
ward Fogarty to this hospital November
8 was conspicuous for its lack of fanfare,
but it is to be hoped that his visit her-
alds a new era in legislative interest 1m
Carville.

Mr. Fogarty, of Rhode Island and a
Democrat, is chairman of the House
Subcommittee on Appropriations. It is
a source of reassurance to the patient
body here that the hospital now “has
the ear” of 2 man in such a key position.

Tt had been expected that Mr. Fogarty
and several of his committee members
would visit the hospital before the year
was out, but only Mr. Fogarty came. He
explained that it is very difficult for a
group such as his to get together for a
trip of this nature. During the visit, Dr,
Edgar B. Johnwick, Medical Officer in
Charge, and members of the hospital
staff presented to Mr. Fogarty a list of
the hospital’s needs for research, train-
ing, health education and new con-
struction, beyond the resources of the
present budget for 1959 and 1969.

Included in the construction needs
were 10 new cottages for patient couples.
Dr. Johnwick said, along with staif
quarters which became obsolete in 1921.

Mr. Fogarty was brought to Carville
by Dr. John Wilson, Medical Officer in
Charge of the Public Health Service
Hospital, in New Orleans. Dr. Wilson
sat in on the various meetings with Mr.
Fogarty.

At the Congressman’s request he met
briefly with the Executive Committee
of the Patient Federation and the editor
of THE STAR. The meeting was not
announced beforehand to the patient
group and for that reason they had no
opportunity to prepare for the discus-
sion. It was on the instructions of the
Public Health Service, from the Wash-
ington level, that no publicity was given
the visit until Mr. Fogarty himself had
approved such releases to the press.

It is however, appreciated that Mr.
Fogarty extended the courtesy of the
conference to the Federation’s officers
and THE STAR. Even when called

THE STAR

immediately prior to the meeting, the
patient group was not told the purpose
of the meeting or who would be present.
They were told it would be a surprise
it was!

Mr. Fogarty’s interest in the hospital
here stems from two factors. One is his
abiding interest in medical research in
general and the other is the acquaint-
ance of Rep. Otto Passman of Monroe,
La., who has sharpened Mr. Fogarty’s
appetite for knowledge of this hospital.
Again, Rep. Passman has demonstrated
his sincere interest in this hospital and
the patients here.

Mr. Fogarty began his legislative ca-
reer in the 77th Congress of the United
States and has taken part in all sessions
since that time. He is a resident of
Harmony, R. L, and a member of the
Knights of Columbus, the Elks, and the
Eagles. Mr. Fogarty began as a_ brick-
layer and is a past president of the
Bricklayer’s Union. He is one very im-
portant bricklayer that this hospital can
be glad to have for an ally.

November- December